Page 105 of Nowhere to Hide
I sat beside her. “How are you feeling?”
She shrugged. “Still a bit freaked out.”
“How about you help me make some stir fry?”
Her big brown eyes softened. “I’d like that.”
I stood and held my hand out to her. She took it and the fizz from before was still present between us. She leaned on me a bit, but without the staples she was definitely moving a bit better. I settled her at the table and came back with vegetables, a cutting board, and a knife.
“Music?”
She nodded. “That would be great actually.”
“Anything off the table?”
“Death metal.”
I laughed. “I think I can work with that.” I had an extensive digital collection. I preferred records, but that didn’t actually work well on a moving boat. I grabbed my iPad and selected one of my playlists. It was a mix of mid-tempo new and older music.
There was a companionable silence between us, and she sang along to a few of the songs. Her voice lilting and comforting as she made a big pile of peppers and onions. The chicken was quick and I added a frozen bag of stir fry vegetables to extend the meal for two.
“Spice?”
“Oh, yes please.”
I grinned over my shoulder at her. “Good.”
Her cheeks pinked up, and the double entendre bloomed between us.
She got up to wash the board and knife, her hips brushing mine in the tiny space. I turned with the wok in hand to get it off the heat and my thighs brushed her backside. The flowy skirt of her dress little more than tissue paper between us. I lifted the pan over her head and she froze.
I cleared my throat and slid away to the marble counter, setting the wok on the trivets I set out.
“My rice isn’t fancy.”
“Fine by me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used the microwave stuff.”
I huffed out a laugh. “That’s what I have.”
I reached around her for the slim cupboard I kept it in.
Her citrus scent mixing with the red chili paste I’d added. When I glanced down at her, she was watching my mouth.
My lips kicked up into a smirk. “What are you staring at?”
Her gaze flicked to mine. “Not used to seeing so much of your face.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“You know it’s not.” She grabbed the plate behind me and slipped away.
I laughed. “Thanks, I think.”
“You know you’re attractive.”
“Been a long time since anyone has noticed.”
“Because of the animal on your face?”
